

A Bf^HT IDEA AjJD WHAT EjABJE OF IT 











A BRIGHT IDEA AND WHAT CAME OF IT. 


Two bright and attractive young ladies are seated in their 
cosy parlor, whose entire surroundings bespeak a more than 
ordinary degree of culture and refinement in its occupants. 
One is busied about some dainty feminine occupation, not so 
absorbing in its nature as to check an occasional light-hearted 
song or a merry laugh, as the charming girl throws down her 
work and turns to observe her companion. 

Her companion is older by several years, but an occasional 
silver thread in the abundant glossy brown hair, and the glasses 
made necessary by a slight defect of vision, do not detract from 
the impression of resolute and hopeful animation, nor conceal 
the clearness and steadfast sincerity of her handsome eyes. 

“Kate, will you never stop gloating over that handful of 
slugs?” 

11 Indeed, you shall not slander these beautiful specimens of 
Uncle Sam’s coinage.” 

“ If you ruined your temper and wore out your fingers over 
them as I do, you would hate them as much. And to think 
that I can never get enough of them to do me any good.” 

“ They interest me. As you know I have seen but few twen- 
ties in my eastern home. I admire them for their beauty, and 
respect them for their possibilities.” 


“ You seem to be dreaming dreams or seeing visions. As 
for poor me, they slip through my fingers, from long habit, I 
suppose, and leave no trace. What grand possibilities do your 
great eyes behold ? ” 

“ I was thinking of many things. Of your great State, and 
its magnificent future ; of what I should do with my monthly 
salary, and of what its capabilities might be, if properly 
invested. ” 

“Investments? Of course you have more to invest than I, 
but I have given up trying to save money ; not that I ever tried 
very much. I believe there is a small sum in the savings-bank 
to my credit, and I started out in my business career with a 
virtuous resolution to add something to it every month. But I 
love pretty things, and want to look as well as the other girls, 
and once in a spasm of recklessness I concluded that the miser- 
able little four per cent which it brought me did not begin to pay 
for the self-denial. That was some time ago, but my conscience 
condemns me a little when I reflect on what I am to do when I 
am old and friendless.” 

“You may be old, my dear, and I suppose you will if you 
live, but I can never think of you as being friendless. But 
seriously, I have been reading of a plan by which even small 
savings may be so invested as to produce in the aggregate a 
very handsome return. California fruit and raisins are gain- 
ing a splendid reputation throughout the country, and there i9 
a great opportunity in extending the production.” 

“ Oh, there is nothing in that. My father always raised fruit, 
and in large quantities, but many a year it did not pay for 
gathering, and he gave it up in disgust.” 

“ But times have changed, and men and things change with 
them. I can understand that the railroads and new markets 


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may make a business a success which has been unprofitable for 
want of these advantages.” 

“ He always said that California would become the garden of 
the world, but that monopoly was the curse of the country. I 
don’t really know what it is, but I believe I am an aunty-monop- 
olist.” 

“ Anti, my child,” corrected her friend. “ That is true, but 
this plan involves a great orchard and vineyard of hundreds of 
acres, with buildings, and many men to care for the land and 
the crops.” 

“ Very pretty, no doubt, but that will cost heaps and heaps 
of money, and I really don’t believe that all j’our savings and 
mine together will amount to as much as a hundred thousand 
dollars.” 

“ Probably not. But here is a prospectus of a corporation 
which sells shares of stock payable in installments, and you may 
have as much or as little as you wish or can pay for.” 

“ That is fine. Let us start a company. You shall be presi- 
dent and I will be vice-commodore or something. Where shall 
it be located ? ” 

“ That is wholly unnecessary. The work is done for us by 
thoroughly competent and reliable men. The matter was 
presented to me by a gentleman in whom I have the utmost 
confidence, and I have taken pains to inform myself as to the 
business character and ability of himself and his associates.” 

“ But what are we to do ? You dash my hopes. Are we only 
to pay the bills, and let some stupid man-body get all the credit ? 
I know dozens of girls who would go into business just for the 
fun of the thing. It looks easy. Let’s organize or do some- 
thing.” 

“ It occurs to me,” said her older and less impulsive compan- 
ion, “ that if you know dozens of girls, each with a little money 


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which they have saved, or which some dead father or friend has 
saved for them, that we might interest them in a plan of this 
kind that would be a great and permanent benefit to them and 
to all who are interested in their welfare. Ask them to come 
in to-morrow evening. You shall give a little spread, and we 
will talk over the question, and try to get at its merits. ” 

“ That will be jolly,” and the merry girl began at once to 
cousider whom of her acquaintances she could reach, and who 
would be likely to take an interest in the subject. 

Miss Catherine Peabody was, as her name would indicate, a 
worthy descendant of the best New England ancestry, educated, 
self-reliant, and progressive in her ideas, a teacher from love of 
knowledge and an innate faculty for imparting it to others, and 
a late arrival in California, called hither to accept a most 
responsible position as an educator. She was a distant connec- 
tion of Rica Holmes, for so she was inclined to soften the name 
which her pioneer father had ruthlessly inscribed upon the 
baptismal register as Eureka Jane. She did not like Jennie. 
Possessed of a fine physique, the even temper and happy dispo- 
sition which accompanies perfect health, she was a lively, 
impulsive girl, without much education, but brave and ambi- 
tious, and of late determined to make the most of her oppor- 
tunities. She was employed in the United States Mint, receiv- 
ing a salary ample for her needs, and from which she could 
easily have laid aside a considerable portion had she felt the 
necessity for so doing. 

Thrown together at first by the accident of a far-off cousin- 
ship, these young ladies had formed a strong affection for each 
other, doubtless cemented by their differences of temperament. 
If tinged by a sense of motherly protection on the part of the 
elder, it was responded to in the younger by a loving trust as 
beautiful as it was grateful to the recipient. They lived together 


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in perfect harmony, their suite of rooms containing many 
home comforts, as well as some of the luxuries of life. 

They could have well accommodated a larger party than came 
together at Rica’s invitation. One dozen of “ the girls ” would 
have come nearer the mark ; a few of Miss Kate’s teacher- 
companions, and one or two young matrons, lovingly welcomed, 
but teasingly referred to as “ old married women.” 

The call for this “ hen convention ” had not distinctly stated 
the object of the meeting, and after a season of hubbub and 
chatter among the younger members, followed by a slight 
refection, an attempt was made to call the company to order, 
vigorously resisted by a certain element, who seemed possessed 
by a spirit of mischief. 

Finally, Miss Rica, mounting upon a chair, remarked 
severely, “ Young ladies, this is not a sewing society; and we 
are not expected to spend the whole evening in gossip. This 
is a business meeting and we must have order.” 

Some one suggested that Miss Peabody take the chair and 
state the purpose of the gathering, which she did in a few clear 
and well-chosen words. 

“ I have here,” she sai$, “ the announcement of a business 
so planned and organized as to render it available, not only to 
the rich or to men of business, but to those of small means, to 
clerks, artisans, laborers, in fact, to all who have saved a little 
money or are earning more than sufficient to meet their daily 
wants. 

“This is an unusual opportunity; but better than this, 
instead of discouraging them the organizers of this enterprise 
invite aud welcome ladies as well to the benefits of this 
co-operative industry. 

“Shrewd business men are looking forward to the ultimate 
supremacy of this State over the fruit-growing regions of the 


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world and are laying their plans accordingly. They are prom- 
ised such early reductions in the rates of transportation as will 
enable them to compete with foreign producers, and our oranges, 
raisins, fresh and dried fruits, nuts and olives have already 
secured a strong foothold in the eastern markets. 

“ There is only a certain amount of land that can be profit- 
ably devoted to the growing of citrus fruits ; another, perhaps, 
quite as limited an area is adapted to the growth and curing of 
a perfect raisin ; a larger acreage produces the deciduous fruits 
in perfection, but taking into account the increase of popula- 
tion California can hardly furnish an excess of either of these 
products. 

“ An association has been formed to develop the business of 
growing, curing, packing and marketing dried fruits and 
raisins, which offers its stock for sale upon installments, and on 
such easy terms that any one who has saved even a little money 
can make an investment that promises better and surer returns 
than any other with which I am acquainted.” 

One of the young ladies, who had been attentively listening, 
said : 

“ Miss Peabody, we know nothing about business. Please 
explain just what we can do. I have a little money, and I am 
sure I don’t know what to do with it.” 

“Simply this,” she replied. “ Each share of stock in this 
company represents one acre of the best land to be obtained for 
the purpose, planted to grape vines or peach, plum, prune or 
pear trees, and in full bearing. Such land is well worth, and 
will pay from year to year a good income on a valuation of from 
five hundred to a thousand dollars an acre.” 

“But we couldn’t pay a thousand dollars an acre.” 

“ No, my dear. You only have to pay from a hundred and 
twenty-five to a hundred and fiftv dollars an acre during a 


8 


period of say three years, and wait for your trees and vines to 
grow up to that large figure. The owners of the land are so 
certain of the future of the business that they are content to 
take a small sum down and wait for the balance till it is paid 
out of the crops to be gathered.” 

“ But who will do all the work, and how do we know they 
will succeed ? ” 

“ The directors are men well known in the business world, 
and are all owners to quite an extent, so that they will be serv- 
ing their own interests as well The superintendent is also an 
owner, and thoroughly versed in the duties of his calling. The 
success of the business, under proper supervision, is assured by 
the great number of other enterprises in profitable operation 
under private and corporate management in the State.” 

Miss Rica, the irrepressible, proclaimed aloud her opinion 
that the men ought not to have the entire control, when they ask 
the ladies to put their money into a common fund, and insists 
that they should be represented upon the board of directors. 

“ That would not be impossible,” was the reply. “ The com- 
pany proposes to plant one section of land, a tract one mile 
square or 610 acres. As before stated, each share represents 
one acre, or in other words, the capital stock consists of 640 
shares. If we could subscribe among ourselves 100 shares, we 
should probably be considered entitled to choose a director.” 

“ And we if could take 630 shares, we could choose them all, 
and leave the men out in the cold.” 

“You know you are too susceptible, as well as too tender- 
hearted to want to do any such thing,” said one of her compan- 
ions, maliciously. 

Without noticing the interruption, Miss Kate went on : 

“The first installment appears large, but is explained by the 
fact that a portion of the purchase money is to be paid at once, 


o 


and that a large proportion of tlie labor involved must be done 
the first year. An effort may be made, however, to draw a rev- 
enue from the land even during the first years by planting 
crops which can be sold off the ground while the trees and 
vines are growing. It is hoped that the $110 per share called for 
the first two years will be all that will be required for the devel- 
opment of the property.” 

“ Girls, girls, I think I will subscribe for 100 shares myself, 
and choose Kate for my director. ,, 

“Not so fast, you can’t have her all to yourself,” said 
another. 

“ I have been interested,” Miss Kate resumed, “ in collecting 
from the newspapers accounts of the profits earned by different 
orchards and vineyards in the State, and have taken pains to 
verify them, so far as I have been able. For instance: Vines 
begin to bear when two years old. From the time they are five 
years old they will yield from 6 to 9 tons of grapes to the acre. 
As it takes 3 tons of grapes to make one of raisins this would 
realize from $200 to $300 per acre. Col. Forsyth, of Fresno, 
reports the sale of raisins from 160 acres, which paid him $200 
an acre, net profit. 

“ Another writes : My raisins this year yielded me a profit of 
$250 per acre. My vineyard of 5 acres gave me $333 an acre, 
says another. My Muscat vineyard gave me $360 an acre, says 
a third. English walnuts paid Mr. Kinney an average of $328 
per acre. Figs pay one grower at the rate of $50 per ton, or 
$400 per acre.” 

“ An orange grower near Riverside reports his forty-one acres 
of oranges and other fruits as netting him an average of $400. 
Prunes are a favorite crop, and one of the most profitable. 
Apricots, peaches, pears and plums are proving as remunera- 
tive to the grower as oranges and lemons. The largest cherry 


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tree iu the world grows in Placer County, and Mr. Hector 
reports a crop of fruit weighing 3,600 pounds and selling for 
$600. These are a few samples only.” 

“Who believes all those fish, no, fruit-stories?” asks one of 
the doubters in the company. 

“I have, as I said before, done my best to verify these state- 
ments, and the result has satisfied me that we have no reason to 
doubt their substantial correctness. I have about determined to 
take ten shares for myself, and while I do not desire to influence 
my friends against their better judgment, it is well worth con- 
sidering.” 

“I move a vote of thanks to Miss Peabody, and suggest that 
as it is rather late we adjourn for a week, and meanwhile we 
will learn all we can from other sources, and discuss the ques- 
tion of ways and means.” 

The happy company then separated with pleasant anticipa- 
tions of another meeting, and enthusiastic over the new ideas 
they had received. 

A great deal of buzzing was carried on wherever two or three 
were gathered together during the next few days ; pass-books 
on the various savings-banks were drawn out and carefully 
scanned, and unwonted calculations were entered into regard- 
ing pin-monej' and the necessary expenses of living. 

A week later the pretty parlor was filled with an eager and 
excited group. No one seemed anxious to prolong the festivi- 
ties of the occasion, and it was not late when the assembly took 
on the appearance of an orderly business meeting, and the ball 
was opened with a general request for any further light on the 
subject of discussion. Several of the ladies had been making 
inquiries among their friends, and were gratified to learn that 
the universal impression seemed to be that there was no legiti- 
mate business promising better results than fruit-growing and 


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packing on a large scale. Mention was made of the great 
orchards of Mr. Hatch, in Solano County, his average from 
800 acres being nearly $200 per acre. My brother has been over 
the immense orchards and vineyards of Messrs. Paige & Mor- 
ton, in Tulare County, said one lady, and he was assured that 
their fruit has paid them a net profit of from $200 to $500 an 
acre. Another told of a single prune tree which produced 1 ,100 
pounds of fruit, and this one of many in the same orchard 
equally prolific. A little calculation showed that a single acre 
of such trees would, at the selling price of prunes, bring the 
fortunate owner but little less than $2,000. 

An unexpected result was the lively interest taken in the plan 
by the gentlemen who had heard it discussed during the inter- 
val. Instead of the metaphorical throwing of cold water upon 
the scheme which was anticipated, many had received gener- 
ous encouragement, and promises of assistance where it might 
be needed in making payments ; business friends recognizing 
the fact that the shares, looked upon simply as collateral, were 
good security, and must rapidly appreciate in value. 

“ Are we ready for the question of subscriptions ? ” asked the 
dignified chairwoman, after a season of very informal and 
somewhat noisy interchange of ideas. 

“ As I understand it, the only question is how much you and 
I, and the rest of us are going to subscribe,” burst out Rica, 
who had with the greatest difficulty bottled up her enthusiasm 
until it was becoming dangerous. 

“ Practically, that is the question,” said Miss Peabody, “and 
we may as well proceed in an orderly manner to receive your 
subscriptions for.stock. Who will be the first? ” 

Eager as the young ladies had been, no one seemed ready to 
make the plunge, and after a few uneasy glances and whispered 
remonstrances, she resumed : 


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“I think we should consider this matter calmly. My own 
belief is that this is a very excellent investment, but we must 
not allow ourselves to become excited and attempt to carry so 
much as to embarrass us. If we find ourselves able to do more 
than we think best to try now, it will be easy to increase our 
subscriptions later. I shall only take ten shares now, though 
I may conclude to do more.” 

“ Ten shares for me next, Kate,” cried Miss Rica, who had 
been most agreeably surprised to find that the small sum 
deposited for her while yet a child had grown to very respect- 
able proportions, and who was well able to invest even more. 

Several of the teachers subscribed the same amount, and then 
in quick succession a number of the j^ounger ones gave their 
names for five shares each. Some in doubt were cautioned not 
to attempt too much, and took the lesser amount quite gener- 
ally. One girl said, “ Father told me he did not feel like taking 
stock himself, but that I might take ten shares, and he would 
help me out if it was too much for me.” 

” Harry said he would subscribe for ten shares each for me 
and the children,” said the sweet- faced woman who had been 
so much interested at the previous meeting. “ He has a life 
insurance, but he thinks this will be a better investment than 
another policy, which he has been considering.” 

“ Forty shares ! Why, that is splendid. We must have more 
than a hundred already,” and a hasty inspection assured them 
that they had a hundred and twenty-five on the list. 

“ And Kate is a director in the company,” said impulsive 
Rica. 

“ Would 1 Harry ’ be willing to serve in that capacity? ” asked 
Miss Kate of the wife of that wide-awake young business man. 

“ No, no, no,” came from all sides, “ ‘ Harry ’ is all right ; 
we like him, but Miss Kate must come first.” 


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“ His wife protested that the girls were right, and Miss Pea- 
body was unanimously declared the choice of the meeting. 

“ If you will accept subscriptions from gentlemen, ” said one 
of Miss Rica’s fellow-employees in the Mint, two of my brothers 
will join me in taking ten shares each,” 

11 And George will do the same, I am sure,” said Mary Day, 
with a soft blush, and a very attractive air of confusion. 

Others in the company, who had not had an opportunity to 
subscribe, now came forward ; and others still, undecided before, 
found themselves moved by the force of example to join their 
friends. 

Not to further extend our story, the result, after a little can- 
vassing, showed a subscription of 240 shares ; Miss Peabody and 
Harry also were chosen members of the board of directors, and 
the company entered upon a career of prosperity which, with a 
few slight drawbacks, has continued to the present time. 

Five years have passed, bringing many changes ; happiness 
and prosperity to most of our little circle of friends, but alas! to 
others sorrow and bereavement. The third and fourth years 
paid almost the entire remainder of the purchase money on the 
land, besides handsome dividends to the shareholders. A spirit 
of emulation in thrift succeeded a certain love of display among 
the wage-earners in the school, and shop and office. The sav- 
ings-banks and building associations have not been neglected, 
and other enterprises of a similar nature to this we have been 
depicting have been promoted. 

The joint savings of Kate and Rica have materialized in a 
comfortable house on an eligible lot in the Western Addition 
and a charming summer residence, half-camp and half-cottage, 
in Mill Valley. They cling to each other still, but Rica has met 
with an irreparable loss which has exerted a chastening effect 
upon her volatile and mirth-loving spirit. She has lost her 


14 


heart and promised her hand to a young man of standing, char- 
acter and good business prospects, and they are to be married 
in a few months, and set up their household gods under the 
same roof that now shelters these two staunch friends. All are 
rejoicing over her happiness, and jubilant over the wonderful 
success of the ranch, as they call it. This year has witnessed 
the almost total failure of the fruit crop in the Eastern States, 
and everything the company has raised brings the very highest 
price. Raisin grapes on the vine are selling for nearly $300 per 
acre; plums at $450, and prunes at $637. Their small savings 
will make some of them almost rich this season. 

Mrs. “ Harry ” is a widow. A sudden illness, a few days of 
anxious watching, a heart-breaking farewell, and she is left to 
battle with the world alone, aud care for her little children. 
His life insurance served them in this dread emergency, and 
paid the last installments on their stock. The dividends have 
supported the family in comfort, and the future support and 
education of the children are happily assured. 

While the reader may look upon this as a fancy sketch, there 
is nothing in it which is not authentic; the examples given are 
from actual experience; what has been set down here has been 
done aud can be done again. There was never a better oppor- 
tunity than now to engage in the business of producing and 
marketing California fruit, and our readers aud their friends are 
cordially invited to call at the office of the Occidental Fruit 
Company, 415 Montgomery Street, Rooms 3 and 4, San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., where the fullest chance will be afforded them to 
investigate the merits of the enterprise, and the Secretary will 
be pleased to furnish them with prospectuses, subscription 
blanks, and any further information that may be desired. 


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